Longleat Safari Park
Longleat is a major tourist attraction in Wiltshire, England, comprising the UK’s first drive-through safari park and a magnificent Elizabethan stately home. Located just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury, it is set within 9,000 acres of parkland originally landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown.
What to Do
Drive-Through Safari: A 6.5-mile journey through enclosures where you can see lions, tigers, wolves, rhinos, and mischievous monkeys.
Walking Safari & Main Square: Explore Koala Creek (housing England’s only southern koalas), walk with meerkats, and feed rainbow lorikeets.
Jungle Cruise: A boat trip on Half Mile Pond to see gorillas and sea lions (which you can often feed).
Family Attractions: Includes the iconic Hedge Maze (one of the UK’s longest), the Longleat Railway, and the Adventure Castle playground.
Longleat House: Tour the historic home of the Marquess of Bath to see its elaborate ceilings, tapestries, and art collection.
Planning Your Visit
Typical Duration: Most visitors spend a full day (6+ hours) at the park. The drive-through safari alone typically takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on crowds.
Best Suited To: Families with children aged 2–12, though it is widely regarded as a great day out for all ages, including groups of adults and seniors.
Best Times to Go: Weekdays outside of school holidays are best to avoid large queues for the safari and boat rides. Seasonal events like the Festival of Light (winter) and Icons of the Sky (summer) are popular but busier.
Why It’s Unique
Longleat was the first safari park of its kind outside of Africa when it opened in 1966. It remains unique for its combination of a world-class safari and a massive historic estate. It is also the only place in England to house southern koalas.
Membership & Booking Tips
Advance Booking: Booking online via the Longleat Ticket Page by midnight the day before can save you money compared to on-the-day prices.
Annual Membership: Offers unlimited entry for a year (excluding some special events) and can be cost-effective if you plan to visit more than twice. Members often get early access to booking for popular events like the Festival of Light.
Safari Bus: If you don’t want to drive your own car (or fear the monkeys), you can book a seat on the Safari Bus for an additional fee for a guided tour.
Group Discounts: Special rates are available for groups of 17 or more, and youth groups (like Scouts) can access additional benefits like free leader tickets.